THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 056 KHAYBAR by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem Khaybar The Jews of Khaybar The Jews of Khaybar had for many years been hostile toward the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers. Only months before it had been their tribesmen that had joined Huyay from the tribe of An-Nadir and incited the Koraysh to rise up against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Then again, in an attempt to ensure the Koraysh victory at the hostilities of the Trench they had bribed the Ghatfan tribes with one third of their date harvest in return for their support, and more recently procured the services of Labid in an attempt to murder the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). When news reached them of the signing of the ten-year peace treaty between the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and the Koraysh, the Jews were devastated for they knew the Koraysh would no longer pursue or assist them in their goal to bring about the Prophet’s downfall. The Jews of Khaybar were known to be particularly wealthy and their circumstances had been enhanced still further upon the arrival of their exiled relatives from the tribe of An-Nadir. This in itself presented a source of danger to the existence of the Muslims as the Jews had already shown their ability and willingness to use their wealth against them. To ensure the future safety of the Muslims it was evident that something had to be done about Khaybar, attempts to live peacefully with the Jews through alliances had been drawn up, agreed upon, then broken by the Jews and tossed to the wind; there was only one course left open to the Muslims and that was to quell their resistance. Those Who Remained Behind The chapter sent down during the return journey from Hudaybiyah had spoken of the spoils that would soon come to hand. It also mentioned the condition of the those who remained in Medina instead of joining the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and their fellow Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca on account of the fact that there had been no prospects of gaining any spoils. The Revelation also spoke of how these people would soon come to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and plead with him to allow them to take part in the next engagement when they realized there would be considerable wealth to share. But, in the same Revelation, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) received another instruction which was that they should not be permitted to take part in the next encounter, so, when they came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asking permission to accompany the Muslims to Khaybar was denied. However, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told them they would be permitted to take part thereafter: “When you set forth to take the spoils, those Bedouins who lagged behind will say: ‘Let us follow you.’ They hope to change the Words of Allah. Say, ‘You shall not follow us. Allah has said so before.’ They will reply, ‘No, you are envious of us.’ Rather, they have only understood a little! Say to the Arabs who lagged behind, ‘You shall be called upon to fight a mighty nation, unless they embrace Islam. If you are obedient you shall receive a good wage from Allah. But, if you turn away, as you turned your backs before, He will punish you with a painful punishment.’ Koran 48:15-16 Three Days before the March to Khaybar Three days before the Prophet’s march to Khaybar, he sent one of his youths named Rabah with a herdsman to the water reservoir of Dhu Qarad, a day’s ride from Medina, to pasture his camels. Meanwhile, Salamah, Al-Akwa’s son borrowed the horse of Talha and had done the same with his camels. At dawn the following day the unbelievers, Abdur Rahman Al-Fazari and his tribesmen spotted the camels, crept up upon the Rabah’s herdsman, killed him and seized the camels. Salamah cried out to Rabah telling him to take Talha’s horse and ride quickly back to Medina and inform the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) of the attack. Salamah then chased after the unbelievers alone shooting at them with his bow and arrow. The unbelievers were driven into a narrow gorge, trapped between two mountains whereupon Salamah climbed up a mountain and hurled rocks down upon them and fired his arrows. Salamah continued his attack and reclaimed all the camels as the marauders fled casting down their lances and baggage to make a hasty get-away. Now that thieves had all fled, Salamah climbed down the mountain and put a mark on a stone so that when the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and his Companions arrived they would realize what lay before them were spoils of war. Four of the unbelievers had made their escape to a valley not far away. Salmah spotted them and climbed up the mountain and sat down upon one of its ledges. Just then the unbelievers saw Salmah and started climbing up towards him. Salmah shouted out, “Do you recognize me?” They replied, “No, who are you?” He replied, “I am Salamah, the son of Al Akwa, I can kill anyone of you, but you can’t kill me!” Just then Salmah saw the horsemen of the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), Akhram, Abu Qatadah, and Al Miqdad, Al-Aswad’s son riding swiftly through the trees. Akhram engaged Abdur Rahman Al Fazari but Abdur Rahman speared him with his lance and killed him. Abdur Rahman jumped upon Akhram’s horse whereupon Abu Qatadah engaged Abdur Rahman in fierce combat and dealt him a fatal blow. The rest of the unbelievers fled but Salmah continued to chase after them on foot. The sun was just about to set when the unbelievers reached the spring of Dhu Qarad and stopped to take a drink, but when they saw Salmah coming they rode off. Sometime later the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companions reached Salamah who asked him to let him have a hundred Muslims to ride after the marauders and put an end to them. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, “Son of Al-Akwa, you have taken enough and now you must be generous, and by now they will have reached the tribal land of the Ghatfan.” Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said, “Today our best horseman is Abu Qatadah and our best foot soldier is Salamah.” Then he distributed the spoils of war and gave Salamah two shares, one of a horseman and the other of a foot soldier. When it came time to return to Medina, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) invited Salamah to ride pillion behind him on Al-Adba, his she-camel. The March to Khaybar It was the policy of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never to divulge his plans until the last moment so that they might retain an element of surprise. However, this time news reached the Koraysh of the impending march against the Jews of Khaybar and they paid close attention to the scene now about to unfold in the hope that the tribes of Khaybar would succeed where they had failed. The fortifications erected before the advent of Islam around Khaybar were exceptionally strong so when the Jews learned of the pending attack they were not particularly perturbed and discounted the possibility of being routed. However, they did contact their brethren at Wadi al-Kura who had also built fortresses and agreed to support one another should the need arise. The confidence of the Khaybar chieftains was such that they did not concern themselves with bothering their Arab allies of the Ghatfan for support until the very last minute, when one of their chieftains, named Kinanah, learned that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his army had set out from Medina. Once again the Jews offered the Ghatfan tribes a handsome bribe and four thousand from the Ghatfan prepared themselves in readiness to lend their support to the already ten thousand strong Jewish army against the relatively small army of just one thousand, six hundred Muslims. The Cloak of Abu Abs Poverty was commonplace among the Muslims, and those who had accompanied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) on the postponed pilgrimage had spent much on their sacrificial camels and robes. Shortly before the Muslims were due to embark on their march, Abu Abs from the tribe of Aws went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and told him of his plight. He had been able to secure a camel but his clothes were in tatters and he had no money to leave with his family for food nor yet to buy provisions for the journey. It was the custom of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never to keep the gifts he had been given, rather, he would distribute whatever came his way to the needy and it so happened that he had been given a fine cloak so he gave it to Abu Abs. Abu Abs was delighted, but instead of keeping it he sold it and with its proceeds bought a cloak of lesser quality, some food for his family and journey. As the Muslims rode to Khaybar, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) chanced to see Abu Abs wearing his new cloak so he inquired what he had done with the cloak he had given him. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) learned of Abu Abs' action he was well pleased and told him that if he lived long enough he would indeed have more than enough to suffice his needs, indeed, he told him, that he would have so much it would not be good for him! The Poem of Aamir Al Akwa’s Son As the journey progressed, a companion asked Aamir, Al-Akwas son to recite some of his poetry. Aamir dismounted and led the camels, reciting in a sweet voice: "Allah, except for You we would never have been guided, nor yet given charity, nor prayed Your prayer. Please forgive us for that which we have done and let us all be sacrificed for Your Cause and send to us tranquility to make firm our feet when we meet our enemy, and if they call us towards an unjust matter, we will refuse. The unbelievers have called upon others for help against us." The camels also enjoyed hearing his sweet voice and responded by running quickly. Later on when Aamir finished his recitation the Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) supplicated for him saying, "May Allah have mercy on you." Whereupon a man said, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) has martyrdom been ordained for him? Would that we might enjoy his company longer." Later on when they engaged the Jews of Khaybar Aamir aimed his sword at the leg of a Jew, but it was short and its sharp blade slipped and severely injured Aamir’s own knee and he died. Some of the Companions felt sad that Aamir had died in such a manner and thought he had been deprived of his reward. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) saw the saddened face of Salamah his brother, he asked what was troubling him and he told him what was being said. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) comforted him saying, "Whosoever says such is mistaken, Aamir has received a double reward, he persevered in the cause of Allah and there are but a few Arabs who achieved what Aamir did." The Valley Overlooking Khaybar As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and his Companions climbed above a valley overlooking Khaybar they began to raise their voices saying, "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar!" Whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) told them not to raise their voice saying, "You are neither calling to someone who is deaf nor an absentee. Rather you are calling the Hearer who is near and with you." Abdullah, Qays' son who was riding behind the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) was saying quietly, "There is no power or might except by Allah – La Hawla wala quwata illa billah" and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) overheard him and said, "Shall I tell you of a phrase which is one of the treasures of Paradise?" Abdullah anxiously replied, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi was sallam)!" He said, "There is no power or might except by Allah." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) continued to march pass the mountain of Isra until he reached the valley of Ar-Raji where he struck camp with his small army. His encampment was a matter of strategy as it lay between the Jews of Khaybar and their allies the Ghatfan and was a means of blocking contact between the two. The Nurses Among those accompanying the army were several ladies whose intention was to nurse the wounded. They were Lady Umm Salamah, Safiya, sister of the martyred Hamza, Umm Ayman, the childhood nurse of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), Nusaybah and Umm Sulaym both of whom had tended to the wounded during the hostilities at Uhud. The Date Groves of Khaybar Two and a half days had now passed, and as evening approached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) called upon a guide to take him nearer to the fortifications, for it was his plan to position his army between the inhabitants of the fortresses and the Ghatfan whose arrival was anticipated. The night was dark and all was still behind the ramparts; no one detected the presence of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) and his guide so they were able to reach the clearing that lay in front of the ramparts, then return undetected to the camp. As dawn approached, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers offered their prayers and as the sun spread its rays, they saw the fields and date groves beyond which lay the fortresses. Soon after, the farmers came out from the fortresses to tend to their groves and fields, and were panic stricken as they caught sight of the Prophet's army. The farmers dropped their tools and fled back to the fortresses to raise the alarm whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) exalted Allah, saying, "Allah is the Greatest, Khaybar is crushed!" Then he recited: "When it descends upon their courtyards, evil will be the morning of those forewarned." Koran 37:177 The Events of Khaybar It was now the 7H after the migration and as the alarm rang out, the Jewish chieftains met hastily to discuss their course of action. All except one felt their fortresses were strong enough to repel the Muslims. However, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) knew well from a previous Revelation, that despite their numbers, their hearts would be divided. The Revelation was fulfilled yet again as each party chose to defend themselves in individual groups. “Their fear of you in their hearts is greater than their fear of Allah; that is because they are a people who do not understand. They will never fight against you all together except from fortified villages or from behind walls. Their courage is great among themselves; you think them to be united, yet their hearts are not united. That is because they are a people who have no sense.” Koran 59:13-14 Outside the fortifications, the small Muslim army stood as one in readiness with heart, mind, body and soul, trusting, loving and fearing Allah rather than being terrified by what would have appeared to the unbeliever as a daunting army of first-rate archers protected by very strong fortifications. The order was given and the first assault was launched upon the fortress nearest to them. The Jews remained behind the fortress walls, some busied themselves strengthening its weaker parts whilst the remainder engaged themselves showering bevies of arrows down upon the Muslims from the ramparts. Never before had the Muslims faced such ferocity, and the nursing ladies accompanying them were kept busy tending the wounded. The Spy The hostilities raged for five days and nothing as yet had been gained. One night during Omar's command, a spy infiltrated the Muslim camp and was caught, then brought before Omar. The man feared for his life and offered to give Omar information if he would spare him. Omar accepted and the Jew told him that there was another fortress less well-guarded than the one they were attacking and that its strongholds housed an arsenal of weapons, amongst which were those used to breach the walls of fortresses. The next day, Omar launched an attack on the less well-guarded fortress and Allah blessed the Muslims with success, and the fortress fell. As they searched the fortress’s strongholds, and cellars the Companions found the information they had been given to be accurate as their eyes fell upon not only an arsenal of hand weapons but a large catapult strong enough to hurl heavy rocks at the fortress walls and two long, strong shields under which several men could walk and consequently get close to the fortress walls without being harmed. The Ghatfan The four thousand strong tribe of Ghatfan had set out upon their march to Khaybar intending to support their Jewish allies. At nightfall, after their first day's march, they struck camp and settled themselves down to sleep, however, they had little rest because during the night a strange, urgent voice was heard calling to them saying, "Your people, your people, your people!" They were startled and looked around them but were unable to detect whether the voice came from the heavens or the earth. All manner of thoughts raced through their minds, but their paramount thought was that their families were in some sort of danger, so they returned home. When they reached home their families were very surprised to see them, all was well and no harm had come to them. However, the Ghatfan were reluctant to set out again as they feared that perhaps harm was on its way, and then again, it was in their opinion, mostly likely that if they did set out they would arrive too late. The Fortress of Na’im With the capture of the arsenal came the turning point of the encounter. Amongst the arsenal the Muslims found the Jews had designed and constructed the first ever tank made from wood which now was now put into use by the Muslims, and one by one the fortresses started to fall. However, there remained five strong fortresses, some of which were better equipped and greater in man power than their counterparts. Na’im was the first of the five to be targeted, unlike the other fortresses, its soldiers came outside its walls to fight and the Muslims faced strong resistance that forced them to temporarily withdraw. That evening, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) announced, "Tomorrow, I will give the banner to someone whom Allah, and His Messenger love. In his hands Allah will give us victory -- he is not a person to turn away and flee." The next day, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked for Ali, whereupon he was informed that Ali's eyes were troubling him. However, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked for him to come and upon seeing the soreness of his eyes, he rubbed some of his saliva over them and supplicated for his recovery. Ali's eyes recovered immediately and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) handed him a large black banner made from a cloak that once belonged to Lady Ayesha. Then, Ali asked, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), shall I fight them until they become as us?" Once again the just nature of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was apparent in his reply, "Continue until you reach them, then invite them to Islam and explain their obligations to Allah. If just one person is guide by Allah through you that will be better for you than a herd of red camels." As the small, but valiant army attacked, Zubair and Abu Dujanah, recognizable by his red turban, fought with the same extraordinary zeal as they displayed at Uhud. Ali led the final attack that caused the enemy to retreat. Some of the Jews took refuge in the fort, but many escaped through a back entrance to neighboring fortresses. However, most made their way to a fortress called “Zubair”, which was by far the most formidable of the remaining four and had been built on a high cliff which provided a natural defense. In the meantime, the Muslims took control of the main entrance of the fortress of Na’im. The Fortress of Zubair Only the fortresses of Zubair, Kamus and two others remained. For three days the Muslims concentrated their efforts on the fortress of Zubair, but its natural defense together with its additional soldiers made things very difficult. Then, a Jew fearing for his life, family and property, made his way in secret to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and told him he would disclose vital information in return for the safety of his family and possessions -- the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) agreed. The Jew informed him the fortress had an underground supply of fresh water capable of sustaining them for as long as they wanted to hold out. However, there was a place outside the fortress where the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) could dig and divert the stream so that no water flowed into the fortress. The informant further told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) on account of the constant supply of fresh water, the army had not concerned themselves with its storage. Work to divert the water was soon under way and when the Jews realized their stream had been diverted they came down from their fortress and another very fierce encounter ensued in which the Jews suffered defeat. The Fortress of Kamus The fortress of Kamus belonged to the richest of all the families of Khaybar, the family of Kinanah. Kinanah belonged to the tribe of An-Nadir and was married to Safiya, daughter of Huyay. Like others in his tribe, he had been amongst those exiled from Medina for their treachery who, as they left, taunted the impoverished Muslims by wearing and flaunting their excessive wealth and fineries as they rode out of the City. The fortress continued to hold out for two weeks by themselves and Kinanah could not fathom out why the Ghatfan had not come to their aid, but now the realization set in that the expected help would never come and with full knowledge of the terms of surrender, Kinanah sent word he wished to surrender. Terms of Surrender As the fortresses fell they had surrendered, and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had called upon Abu Bakr, Ali, Zubair and Omar and ten Jews to witness the terms of surrender. The terms of surrender were that their total wealth, treasures, armory and possessions were to be confiscated, that none should be concealed, and having complied with this they would not be taken captive; the Jews accepted. It was not the Prophet’s intention to put the Jews to death rather it was to simply confiscate the wealth they had amassed through usury and corruption and such like that they had persistently used in their nefarious attempts to prevent and destroy the Message he brought. The Concealed Treasures by Kinanah The fortress of Kamus had been thought to be the safest fortress to house the Jewish womenfolk and so they had remained there throughout the hostilities. Before the hostilities Kinanah had secretly buried the treasures of his tribe in two places one of which was in a deserted area and the other some distance away in the trunk of fallen palm tree. The Muslims remembered well the excessive display of opulence the tribe of An-Nadir made when they left Medina, and were quick to realize, as did some of the Jews, that the wealth now being declared as being their total wealth was but a mere fraction. Several Jews took Kinanah to one side and reminded him that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was not a person who could be deceived and that there was no doubt his hiding place would be discovered. When Kinanah was questioned about the extent of the wealth, he claimed much of it had been spent over the years and nothing more remained. Kinanah was so sure his hiding place would never be discovered that without coercion he agreed that if any were found he would forfeit his life and his family were to be taken as captives. Kinanah’s hiding place was discovered but the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) chose not to take his life, rather, he was given to Muhammad, son of Maslmah because he had killed his brother Mahmood. The Final Surrender The two remaining fortresses surrendered without further hostilities and accepted the same terms and conditions. Many of the Jews were farmers and knew how best to reap the wealth of the Arab land they had settled in. With this in mind they sent a deputation to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying that if he would permit them to continue as before and live in their homes, they would in return tend the land and pay rent for half its harvest each year. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) accepted, however, he reserved the right to expel them at any time if they did not live peacefully. The Poisoned Lamb The Word of Allah had been fulfilled, and the band of believers took a well-earned rest before their victorious march back to Medina. A Jew by the name of Shalom, Mishkam's son, who had aided Abu Sufyan in Medina, had been killed during the hostilities and his wife Zaynab, daughter of Al-Harith sought to take revenge. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never refused the invitation of anyone, no matter who they were, so when Shalom's wife invited him and his Companions to a meal the invitation was graciously accepted. In preparation for the meal Shalom's wife had a lamb slaughtered, then, as she prepared it she ladled it with poison, paying particular attention to its shoulders as she had heard that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) liked that part of meat. When the lamb was ready she set it down in front of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) who took a bite of the meat. Before he had chance to swallow it, the shoulder spoke and informed him that the meat had been poisoned whereupon he spat it out and told his Companions not to eat it. Bishr, Bara's son, who was sitting next to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had already swallowed a piece of the meat and was affected by the poison. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent for Shalom's wife and asked why she had poisoned the lamb, whereupon she asked who had informed him it had been poisoned; the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied: "The shoulder." In reply to his question she told him that he must already know the reason why she had poisoned the lamb. However, she continued saying that it was on account of her dead husband, father and uncle. She then told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) she had thought if he was a king she would be better off without him, but on the other hand, if he was a prophet then the poison would inform him. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had mercy upon the woman and pardoned her for the attempt she had made against him. However, Bishr's condition continued to deteriorate in the days that followed and he passed away whereupon for the sake of justice the Jewess was handed over to his family and they put her to death. At the same time each year thereafter, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) would suffer on account of a tiny bit of poison he had swallowed. The Jews of Taima’ News reached the Jews of Taima’ of the fall of Khaybar before the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) reached their territory. Upon the arrival of the Muslims the Jews showed no resistance and took the initiative to go out and meet the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and sign the treaty with him for which they would in return pay a yearly tax and receive the protection of the Muslim army. The Oasis of Fadak News of Khaybar's defeat soon reached the Jewish owned oasis of Fadak and with it rumors that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) intended to engage them. Not wishing to suffer the fate of their brethren, they sent word to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) they wished to surrender upon the same terms and conditions offered at Khaybar. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) accepted because he was at all times a prophet of peace. The Upright Character of Safiya Safiya was the daughter of Huyay from the Jewish tribe of An-Nadir and a descendant of Prophet Aaron. She was quite unlike her father and since early childhood had grown in piety and become an upright young lady in search of the truth. During her childhood she heard stories about the expected coming of a new prophet and learned the reason why her ancestors had settled in Yathrib, as Medina was then called, was because the prophecies foretold he would appear in that vicinity and each tribe hoped the honor would belong to their own tribe. Lady Safiya remembered well the days, when she, as a young girl, had heard from traders returning from Mecca of a man claiming to be a prophet and that he denounced idol worship and preached the Oneness of Allah. She also remembered how it had caused such an upheaval in her community as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was an Arab, a descendant of Ishmael and not a Jew, although Ishmael and Isaac were both the sons of Abraham. However the Jewish race did not start from Abraham, it emerged from the time of Abraham’s grandson Israeel. Therefore it is a misconception when the Jews claim Abraham or Isaac were Jews. Verification of this is found in the Koran: “No, Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian. He was of pure faith, a submitter. He was never of the idolaters.” 3:67 Safiya had been the favorite among her family and relatives, everyone loved her and welcomed her and never turned her away. She also remembered how, at the age of ten, she had seen both her father and uncle Ubayy journey from Medina to prove to themselves the rumors that a prophet had appeared in the Arab race where unfounded. Both of them knew the characteristics of the expected prophet as well as the signs to look for as they were recorded in their scriptures. Also, his expected arrival was always a constant topic for discussion amongst the Jews. Upon her father’s and uncle’s return from Mecca Safiya had been unable to comprehend their reaction and even more so their state of depression. In the purity of her heart, she had expected them either to return with the news that he either fulfilled or did not fulfill the conditions in the scriptures, but they were silent and their silence had puzzled her. Lady Safiya said, “Then I overheard my uncle Abu Yasir ask Ubayy and Huyay, “Is it really he (the Prophet)?” Huyay replied, "It is he, I swear by Allah!" "Were you able to recognize him?" asked Abu Yasir, Huyay replied, “Yes, and my heart is burning with hatred toward him!” Shortly before the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) set out for Khaybar. Huyay had married the now seventeen-year old Safiya to Kinanah the son of Ar Rabi’a. To the onlooker it may have appeared the marriage was all a young girl could ever hope for on account of Kinanah's wealth and standing. However, she was a reluctant bride and far from happy. The Vision of Safiya One night Safiya had a vision in which she saw the moon suspended over a city, which she knew to be Medina. In her vision she saw the moon drift towards Khaybar and when it reached the city it had come to rest in her lap. Innocently, Safiya told Kinanah of her vision whereupon, in an uncontrollable burst of anger, Kinanah struck her violently upon her face saying, "This can mean but one thing, you desire Muhammad the King of Hijaz!" After the fall of Khaybar Safiya was brought before the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) who noticed her badly bruised eye and asked her about it whereupon she told him of her vision and how after she had related it to her husband he had struck her. The Marriage of the Prophet to Lady Safiya Safiya embraced Islam and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) proposed marriage to her and without hesitation she accepted. As for her dowry, Safiya had been pledged as a captive by Kinanah if his wealth was discovered so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) released her and her dowry was her ransom. When the time came for the Muslims to leave Khaybar, Lady Safiya left with the ladies and Umm Sulaim dressed her as befits a bride and sent her to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) that night. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) asked, "Whosoever has any food should bring it" and the Companions brought what they had, then he spread out a leather sheet and their wedding feast was of dates and clarified butter. The News of Wadi L-Kura As for the Jews of Wadi l-Kura, supporters of the Khaybarites, they were not to escape. For three days before the Prophet's return to Medina they fought against him and finally surrendered under the same terms as their brethren in Khaybar. The Victorious Arrival in Medina It had been seven weeks since the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers left for Khaybar and during that time his Companions from Abyssinia arrived in Medina and with them the Prophet’s new bride, Lady Umm Habibah. It was a time for thanksgiving, rejoicing and reunion. Ladies Sawdah and Umm Salamah had been close friends of Lady Umm Habibah in Abyssinia and were happy to see her once again. Her room adjoining the Mosque had been completed and upon the Prophet's return a second marriage feast was prepared in her honor. Khaybar 057 Back Cover Subtitles The Jews of Khaybar Those Who Remained Behind Three Days before the March to Khaybar The March to Khaybar The Cloak of Abu Abs The Poem of Aamir Al Akwa’s Son The Valley Overlooking Khaybar The Nurses The Date Groves of Khaybar The Events of Khaybar The Spy The Ghatfan The Fortress of Na’im The Fortress of Zubair The Fortress of Kamus Terms of Surrender The Concealed Treasures by Kinanah The Final Surrender The Poisoned Lamb The Jews of Taima’ The Oasis of Fadak The Upright Character of Safiya The Vision of Safiya The Marriage of the Prophet to Lady Safiya The News of Wadi L-Kura The Victorious Arrival in Medina